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Who would have thought that the 2011-12 EPL season will be packed with so much enthralling and exciting events? A friend of mine calls it the ‘STUFF OF DREAMS’. Two or three years ago, no one would have called a match involving Tottenham and Manchester City a big game, but all that has changed.
The on-going battle between London (ARSENAL & SPURS) and Manchester (UNITED AND CITY) is a fierce one. I am not by any means taking Chelsea out of the equation, but sadly they do not play on SUPER SUNDAY, hence the unintentional omission.
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Earlier on in the season, MANCHESTER dominated the meetings against London clubs, with United annihilating Arsenal 8-2 at the Theatre of Dreams (OLD TRAFFORD) and City destroying Spurs 5-1 at White Hart Lane. Despite the fact that both London clubs have remarkably come to the fore after the embarrassing defeats, revenge will not be far from the minds of the players when they trade tackles on Sunday, the 22nd of January.
Since the disappointments suffered by Wenger and Redknapp, they have completely transformed their respective teams from strugglers to serious contenders for the Premier League trophy, the latter being the more astonishing.
Spurs have experienced a renaissance since their early season capitulations and sit just 5 points behind leaders Manchester City whom they face at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Arsenal on the other hand, are a little bit far off in 5th, but deserve eulogies for their amazing turnaround in fortunes which saw them defeat Chelsea at the Bridge and pull off some magnificent results along the way.
Although they are an almost unassailable 15 points behind leaders City, they would fancy a shot at the title they haven’t won for 8 years now (since 2004) and what better way to do it, than to see off arch-rivals Manchester United and consequently inflict more harm on the red army’s title aspirations. This is more of a six pointer for ARSENAL AND SPURS than for their Manchester counterparts, because anything other than an outright victory against the big two, spells danger for any title ambitions they are nurturing.
Spurs go into their crunch tie vs City in good form.
Bar the recent draw v Wolves, they have done really well in previous games against West Brom and Everton (although the former was a below-par performance, but they still came out victorious) and will fancy their chances of stealing at least a point from the surprise pace setters.
City on the other hand, have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, no thanks to the absence of Midfield fulcrum, driver and director—-Yaya Toure (who is off to the African Cup of Nations), his elder brother, Kolo, and captain, leader and defensive rock, Vincent Kompany (who was deservedly sent off in the FA CUP defeat v neighbours, MAN UTD).
Mancini’s wards have been dumped out of the FA CUP by their biggest headache-MUFC, lost the 1st leg of the Carling Cup at home to Liverpool, amongst others. Although they got back to winning ways on Monday at the DW stadium v Wigan, it wasn’t a vintage City performance, certainly not one they would be proud of , but that’s what makes the difference when awards are handed out and titles are hoisted at the end of the season.
Kompany and the Toure brothers will sit this one out, but the Etihad landlords will be buoyed by the fact that the effulgent David Silva, arguably the best EPL player this season, is available for selection. The nimble and quick-witted Spanish paragon has the rare ability to decide a match on his own and his contributions will be telling on Sunday.
Spurs also bring some terrific footballers to the Etihad on Sunday. Luka Modric (tired of paying tributes to his immense talents), Scott Parker, Rafa Van Der Vaart, Aaaron Lennon, Gareth Bale, Emmanuel Adebayor all have the quality the swing any match in their favour. The return of Michael Dawson also provides the much needed boost in defense, although the last time he played against City, it was a whitewash.
Arsenal’s Robin Van Persie is head and shoulders above any other striker in Europe at the moment (Mario Gomez, Di Natale, Ibrahimovic, El Matador Cavani & KJ Huntelaar inclusive + Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are not strikers in my opinion) and he has the records to show for his invaluable contributions to the Arsenal cause in the last 365 days or thereabouts. He has been almost impeccable. 22 goals this season (18 in the EPL) and a handful of assists goes a long way to buttress his exceptional and meteoric rise to the exclusive league of the world’s most gifted footballers.
He is certainly the danger man on Sunday when they come face to face with a Manchester United team that haven’t hit top gear yet, despite victories in their last two games. The Gunners will look to put behind back to back successive away defeats to Fulham and Swansea when the Red Devils come calling.
Prior to the FA cup tie involving both Manchester Clubs, Fergie again pulled one of the surprises of the Century, unleashing Paul Scholes.
The second coming of a man Zizou described as one of the best footballers of his generation, came as a huge shock to everyone that follows the beautiful game. Noel Gallagher, former MCFC player exclaimed that it was ‘laughable’ seeing Scholesy return to active soccer.
However, greatness is in-born, and everlasting as if he needed to prove the likes of Noel wrong, he opened the floodgates at Old Trafford last Saturday with a well taken first goal v Bolton. His 151st MUFC goal and first on his second coming.
That has kept a lot of doubters and cynics quiet at least for the time being. Arsenal had earlier on, completed the loan signing of a certain Thierry Henry, who in my view is the best footballer ever to star in the English top flight. The French god came back to a surrounding in which he had etched his great name in the sands of time.
226 phenomenal goals don’t come everyday for a footballer. He is so revered in North London that after only eight meritorious years of service, he has a statue erected in his honour.
He followed the laid down script by coming on two Mondays ago, and scoring his 227th goal and 1st on his second coming to take the Gooners to the 4th round of the FA CUP at the expense of a Leeds team who gave their all, until the Henry came along to render their efforts irrelevant.
He was in a wee bit of trouble after the Swansea game and allegedly had an altercation with a fan, but that has since been swept under the carpet. Rio Ferdinand has been all over the news ranting and shouting to whoever lends their ear, that he is chuffed at the return of both Scholesy and Henry who he described as two of the five players he rates as his all time best campaigners in EPL history. He will have to be at the very top of his game to stop not only RVP, but the also Henry if he is fit to play.
Manchester United of course always possess the best footballers money can buy. In Wayne Rooney, they have in their ranks, the best striker of 2011 (according to FIFA) and on his day, he is unplayable. An inconsistent goalscorer, yes, but he remains United’s arrowhead, leader and most important player.
If SAF and his soldiers harbour any hopes of taking anything away from the Emirates after 90 minutes, then Rooney must bring his A-game.
United have other players who can decide the game. Players like Antonio Valencia, old war horse Giggs, Nani (when he is well), and Michael Carrick all have it in them to ensure victory for the Red Devils.
Whatever happens at the end of the day, the games (if not marred by annoying decisions of the officials) promise to be really intense and engaging.
Written by Ohireime EboreimeFollow him on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
